Snowflakes.
Morax had always thought snowflakes to be beautiful一they could live longer if they hadn't had to fall upon the snowy ground. Once it landed onto anyone's hands, they melted right away一fragile but deadly if it's in blizzard, it reminded him of the times he had to open his eyes and turn his gaze away from the screams and countless death.
Snow fell onto the ground as soft as it could be, to the point they vanished right away once it reached the ground, joining with their fallen families. Snowflakes accompanied the lonely yet lively night inside the bright Wangshuu Inn, Morax's golden eyes watched from afar.
The flaring heat of welcome and love, full of bliss caught his eyes, until一
Morax's eyes glistened up ahead to the sky, wandering aimlessly but he had never expected a figure to fly as high as the glazing moon一expressing the seemingly freedom and something close to the definition of 'hope'.
How did Morax see it all?
He, himself, was not sure.
No normal humans could jump and fly that high.
"We meet again."
Huh一? Morax turned his gaze quickly from the sky back to the person in front of him. "Are you here to see the blessing from the well-known Tianshi Mao?"
Morax's lips pursed shut in confusement, eyes darted toward their mysterious e/c-crystal-like eyes, a familiar feeling tickled Morax's arms to his chest一how odd. How could one eyes that flared like a burning gems could see him even if they were not part of any families? It seemed like they took a notice of his hostile reaction.
"Did this traveler scare you off? My apologies, xian-sheng. I hope you can accept my apology. I'm Y/n, the humble traveler you met the day before," the person called Y/n lowered their head in respect.
The way they spoke and moved as if the moon had watched over them for thousands of years一knowledgable in ethical manners, but also strict in speaking.
"I..."
At this point, he lost it.
"Are you here to tell this traveler to go on a war by the Celestia, or is the faithful mister here to warn me about the uproar that will happen to me?"
. . .
Huh?
How一
"This traveler sees many gods and watched the Celestia above. This traveler's been blessed to see and communicate with the Celestias, spirits, and demons by the world," Y/n explained. They kow-towed before Morax, but he sensed no sincerity一as if they were mocking him.
To be genuine, Morax had heard about the attempt of assasination sent to Y/n, but he didn't expect they would be standing in front of them. "I sensed no sincerity in you, you spoke about respect but I see none. Who are you to be exact?"
A small mischevious smile made its way to their lips, but their gaze still set low from meeting their crystalized e/c eyes with his golden ones.
"I am Y/n, a simple mortal, pardon me for making such confusion and hostility. This traveler hopes you can forgive."
****
A simple life in Liyue with no complications or dramas to be involved was what Zhongli requested for. There seemed to be no point in having to involve such things一but he didn't expect to set his eyes to a certain someone.
Their e/c eyes scanned the fabric over and over, but one thing the golden eyes discovered was how dark the shade of black under their eyes. "Well, if you allow me, I'll be taking your measurement."
Long story short: Zhongli came to a shop to find some new clothes, but he didn't know the owner of the store was the same person he met last night. "Miss/Mister Y/n."
"Yes?"
"When will the outfit arrive?"
Silence took them for a brief moment as they were dwelled in their own thoughts before announcing the date一"It'll arrive around a week or three. Is this for a special occasion, if you don't mind me asking?"
"No, it's best to take your time. A rushed piece won't satisfy both party's heart. I was curious, carry on."
Zhongli spreaded both of his arms, letting the h/c haired person took his measurement. Y/n took a step closer to Zhongli, the measurement tape surrounded the man's slim waist. The scent that flew by Y/n's nose reminded them of the qingxian flowers.
The light seeped through the opaque window, beamed passed the two people that stood alone in a room. Beams of light showed the reflection of the beautiful yet, infectious dust一as a story that went: Those who died will transform into their title一stones, dust, peace, wind, and so on一Zhongli's golden eyes couldn't help but wonder the presence of his deceased friends.
"Okay, I'll be measuring your arms."
Her gentle voice snapped him out of his trance but his other concentration broke intwo two一one trailed to the old memories that were locked behind the calm eyes and the current situation. But his mind went even deeper一too deep into the painful memories to the point he only let out a "Hm".
The breath of a mortal was hardly sensable, but the sense of warmth coming from every time the person in front of him tried to measure him. His golden eyes wandered to the west until一"I have to admit, you're fitting to be a model. Why did you come here instead of other better desginer, xiansheng?"
Their voice sounded sweet, alluring, like a siren that sang for the sea and lured the sailors into death一but this one, it sounded so careful and calming, serenity at its finest. Zhongli turned back his gaze down to theirs, like a siren calling for the wandering sailor一and without he noticed, they were just a few inches apart.
Kling
The tiger would take form deep in their eyes, if you wished to see it一don't take too long. Because that tiger who was banished and was attempted to be assasinated was the sign of a reincarnation, a soul belonged to the well-known Tianshi Mao or more specific一Tianshi Laohu.
That kind of story remained deep in his head, and deep in his heart that he locked far away from being known and from being remembered.
His golden eyes could not help but fell deep in the soul of the e/c irises, where he couldn't let go nor could he look away. Deep in the eyes, Zhongli caught the sight of the too-familiar sleeping tiger locked deep一'Tian Laohu¹.' He pressumed the tiger's original name to be.
The eyelashes fluttered, with every stare he got, he couldn't help but felt the butterflies flying and attempted to escape一those eyes just kept getting brighter and brighter, as if the sleeping tiger was ready to jump out.
Zhongli decided to move his attention from the e/c eyes.
Maybe at how smooth and silky the h/c hair to be, how it shone under the light and dust, as if the dust didn't dare to touch or couldn't land on their hair. The scent一it was acrid but not too powerful, they smelled like the violetgrass mixed with some other flowers together一extravagant, but also the perfect amount.
"...I apologize? Ah, I was recommended by a friend of mine."
Y/n's eyes blinked, even they forgot the question they asked. "To whomever recommended my shop, I'm thankful for them一oh, dear. I talked too much, I'm sorry."
"No, it's fine. If that helps you satisfied your curiosity."
How elegant and calming, his voice and the stares一they were even more embarrassed.
'Dear Lord Rex Lapiz, please forgive me!'
How ironic.
Zhongli was standing there, a small smile made its way to his stiff face as he heard the prayer from the innocent h/c haired person.
"I'll be calling your friend, Childe-xiansheng. Give me a second, you may explore this room and search for the best material."
Zhongli nodded his head and spoke, "Alright. I'll take my time to find a favorable quality of your materials."
...
As the dust landed softly on Zhongli's skin, his eyes darted to the luminous moon, it beamed as bright and the stars一it stood out more. The soft breeze brushed against his skin, letting his long brunette hair flowed to the wind's desired direction. In result, he let out a small exhale.
The form of the dust slowly took its formation一well, at least that's what he visualized the dust to be. "I've found their reincarnation. It's been almost seven hundred years," his voice chimmed in, Zhongli let his hand out and watched as the dust fell onto his hand. "The remaining pieces of their form."
Those dust that landed on his gloved hand, shifted into the white pieces and shimmering shards. "Their energy's form is still here."
No normal people could see what he saw一even the shards and energies he saw in other people, and the gods' visions where one's past lives revealed itself in Zhongli's sight. The energy still wavered in his hand and surrounded his waist一anywhere Y/n came close to take a measurement.
He was relief the fact that Childe brought him there.
Energy, aura, past lives, stories...
He had seen and heard it all.
"Oh! It's Zhongli-xiansheng!"
The usual high pitched voice came into view, catching Zhongli's attention. Wanted or not, he turned his gaze and found himself watching as the two travelers walked to him. "Aether and Paimon. Welcome back."
For now, let's put aside the thoughts.
****
¹Tian Laohu (天老虎)= Sky and a Tiger. It could mean something like a blessed tiger, a tiger descended from the heavens, and etc.
I.
Absoloutley
Hate
This.
Please forgive me for such horrible writing and story! Terrible grammar, vocabulary, horrible and stiff writing, and such fast-pacing plot. And I still don't know why am I doing this.
Anyways,
Thanks for coming by and read this fanfic. I'm trying my best to write this. And I'm also trying to radiate a Chinese Historical romance drama vibes, hehe.
I'm not sure if I could update this week but let's see. Thanks fore reading, you're the best, and I hope to see you in the next chapter!